Chapter One
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Anna checked Google Maps on her phone, trying to figure out where she was and, more importantly, where she needed to be. Knightsbridge was unfamiliar. To her horror, she realised she must have taken a wrong turn at the station and was walking in the opposite direction. If she didn’t get on the right track soon, she’d be late for her interview.
Muttering under her breath, Anna retraced her steps. The backs of her new shoes were rubbing against her heels, the pain intensifying as she walked. Maybe she should just give up on the idea of this job — she didn’t hold out much hope of getting it anyway.
The interview was for a photographer’s assistant to Daniel Redfern, a high-profile photographer with a bad reputation. He was right at the top of his game, commissioned by all the top fashion magazines. He was also drop-dead gorgeous — tall, well-muscled but lithe, with dark-blond hair, strong cheekbones, a square chin and piercing blue eyes. Since his divorce from former top model Lucinda Russell, he was often seen in publicwith a variety of beauties on his arm. If that wasn’t intimidating enough, he was reported to eat his assistants for breakfast, hence the current job vacancy.
Anna wondered if her life wasn’t stressful enough without jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. But the thought of carrying on where she was — having to face her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend as they flaunted their relationship in front of her — was too much to bear. No matter how horrible Daniel Redfern might be, surely it couldn’t be as bad as having her nose rubbed inthatevery day?
Filled with new resolve, Anna walked quickly, determined to ignore the pain stabbing at her heels. Just as she reached Knightsbridge Tube station and located the road she should have taken in the first place, the heavens opened. Not just a smattering of raindrops but a deluge, which would soon soak her. It had been sunny when she’d left home so, of course, she hadn’t brought an umbrella with her. This day was turning out to be a complete disaster.
* * *
Daniel Redfern looked at his watch. ‘She’s late.’
His friend, Charlotte, handed him a cup of coffee. ‘Here, drink this. It’s only a few minutes. I’m sure she’ll be here soon.’
‘Not exactly a good first impression, is it?’
‘No, but look at the weather. She might be sheltering somewhere.’
‘I suppose so.’ Daniel really wasn’t in the mood for interviewing a new assistant, but his workload was hectic. He couldn’t afford to be without one at the moment. The last one had left him in the lurch, not even serving a notice period. ‘She’d better be good, though. The rest have all been pretty useless and I can’t face going through this again.’
‘Maybe if you weren’t so difficult to work with, you wouldn’t have to keep finding new assistants,’ Charlotte said.
Daniel stared at her, open-mouthed. ‘I’m not difficult. I just like things to be done properly.’
‘You mean your way or the highway?’
He stared for a moment more, then smiled. ‘I wouldn’t take that from anyone else, you know.’
‘I do know. That’s why I can be honest with you. And it’s why I’m here to help you find the perfect person.’
‘I doubt that will happen, not judging by the shower we’ve interviewed already.’
‘Have faith, my friend, have faith,’ Charlotte replied.
Daniel’s phone rang.
‘Bet that’s her cancelling,’ he said as he picked up. Then, seeing the name on the screen, he groaned and answered it. ‘Hi, Lucinda. What’s up?’
‘I’m sorry, darling.’ She launched straight in. ‘I know it’s your weekend to have Ben, but Axel has sprung a last-minute surprise on us. He’s taking us all to Disney — Paris, not Florida. Can you do next weekend instead?’
For a moment Daniel was speechless. How dare she jeopardise access to his son for some momentary pop star with a name like Axel?
‘It’s a bit short notice, Lucinda. I was planning on leaving in a few hours. Can’t you go next weekend instead, rather than messing up my plans at the last minute?’
‘I’m sorry, the tickets are non-refundable. I do sympathise, but that’s Axel for you, always acting on impulse. He’s just trying to do something nice for Ben. He really wants to get to know him better.’
‘Buy his affections more like.’
‘Oh, don’t be like that!’ Lucinda’s voice turned sharp. ‘You can see him next weekend and the weekend after if you like. What difference does it make?’
‘It makes a difference to me.’
